Welcome to the latest edition of the LGMA bulletin!
In this issue, from the 'Belém Climate Week' to the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, to the Scoping Meeting of IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities in Riga, we delve into a range of crucial topics to set the stage for COP29. We also highlight our LGMA submissions to the UAE-Belém work programme on resilience, on non-market approaches for sustainable urbanization, as well as our united stand against plastic pollution, and call to multilateral development banks.
Additionally, don't miss upcoming webinars, key partnerships, and local initiatives aimed at promoting resilient and inclusive urban development. Expect comprehensive updates and insights on our ongoing advocacy and actions across the globe.
An important legacy of COP27, the UNFCCC Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation ambition and implementation Work Programme (MWP) brings together negotiators and practitioners to accelerate mitigation action. In 2023, the MWP played a crucial role for ambitious commitments under para. 28 of the UAE Consensus on transitioning from fossil fuels, expanding renewable energy and energy efficiency and road transport. In 2024, the MWP will focus on cities, buildings and urban systems with active engagement of the LGMA and Marrakech Partnership Human Settlements Action Group, starting with the first workshop and dialogue in Bonn on 27-29 May, and potential interactions with the participants Daring Cities 2024.
At the 43rd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in Nairobi in 2016, the panel decided to include a Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (SRCC) in the IPCC Seventh Assessment Cycle. This achievement marked a crucial step towards understanding the complex and dynamic challenges that cities face because of climate change and how they might be addressed. Read more in this blog.
Hosted by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and COP President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev, the 2024 edition of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue was held on 25-26 April in Berlin. It served as a crucial preparatory event for the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, building on the UAE Consensus and other COP28 outcomes. California Governor Gavin Newsom was recognized as the first subnational leader to address a plenary of Petersberg Climate Dialogue since its inception. As the LGMA Focal Point, Yunus Arikan held dialogues with the leaders of incoming COP29 Presidency and Ministers of CHAMP-endorsing countries, intervened at the COP Troika Plenary session in just energy transition, and provided inputs to the Ministerial Roundtables on new finance goals, advancing international climate finance regime and designing NDC3.0 as the new generation of climate action by 2025. Watch the public session recording here.
On 16 April, the SB Chairs convened an informal virtual dialogue among UNFCCC Parties and Constituencies in preparation for the upcoming GST Annual Dialogue, held during the SB60 in Bonn, Germany, on 3-13 June. The LGMA intervention, delivered by Pablo Mariani from UCLG, built on the LGMA Submission on local leadership experience for subnational inputs to the global stocktake in 2022-2023.
The recently launched Local and Subnational Governments Coalition to End Plastic Pollution aims to amplify local and regional voices and expertise in shaping the upcoming globally binding Plastic Treaty, as well as urging a united front across governments.
The LGMA submission calls for further integration of subnational governments in the deliberations and development of indicators for measuring progress achieved towards the targets outlined in the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience and calls on the Parties to take into account the input and recommendations in this document.
The submission proposes to include Multilevel Action for non-market approaches - cooperation mechanisms under the Paris Agreement that are outside carbon markets - as a theme for spin-off groups and sustainable urbanization as an existing non-market approach under the initial focus areas of work programme activities.
Despite UNFCCC's cancellation of this year's Regional Climate Weeks, local and regional governments are driving forward their 'multilevel dialogues on climate action.' Eighteen months ahead of COP30, Belém convened an unprecedented line-up of gatherings, supported by ICLEI, UrbanShift, the Brazilian Minister of Cities and other national, regional, and global partners.
Led by Yunus Arikan, ICLEI’s Director of Global Advocacy, these monthly webinars provide tailored content to support local governments in advocacy efforts and preparation for COP29. Join at 10:00 and 16:00 CE(S)T each month. See last month’s recording and presentation.
Get ready for the fifth iteration of the annual event co-convened by ICLEI and the Federal City of Bonn advancing multilevel and collective climate action. On 30 April at 16:00 CEST, join the second webinar on connecting the dots about multilevel action from Daring Cities to COP29 and COP30.
The City Handbook was developed with valuable input from city officials in Europe and North America and key stakeholders throughout the procurement chain and will equip cities worldwide with knowledge and guidance for the use of sustainable, bio-based building materials.
Taking place on 7 and 8 November 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, this event aims to spotlight innovative initiatives spearheaded by local and regional governments in advancing the 2030 Agenda. To participate, express your interest at info@sdglocalaction.org
Exchange and discover best practices for green urban resilient development in this technical dialogue focused on Small Island Development States (SIDS), led by UN-Habitat & the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.
“As cities we do not lack climate ambition. What we lack is the finance to make this ambition a reality,” reads the letter. These leaders urge MDBs to collaborate with cities to close the finance gap by amplifying urban climate investment.
